The Europe Program
The Europe Program equips students with the strategic and cultural insight needed to navigate one of the world’s most diverse, influential, and interconnected regions. Through intensive language study in French, German, Italian, or Russian, interdisciplinary coursework, and international immersions, students gain a deep understanding of the cultural landscapes, regulatory frameworks, and business ecosystems shaping the European continent.
Choose from
FRENCH – GERMAN – ITALIAN – RUSSIAN
FRENCH
In addition to language, what do I study in the French Track?
Topics of study are highlighted below in relation to the Lauder Institute’s four geopolitical themes. This is not a complete list, nor is this how the courses are structured. These topics will be covered during the 2-year degree, and in the target language of French. Syllabi are subject to change.
Strategic Decision-Making in a Multipolar World
Assess how EU enlargement debates highlight issues around geopolitical instability and nationalism, and examine France’s evolving role in global diplomacy. Trace France’s shifting influence in Africa and the Caribbean to understand how historical ties impact geopolitical power.
Data-Driven Societies and Economies
Examine how media pluralism and disinformation influence freedom of press, public trust, and French democracy. Study the rise of the French Tech ecosystem and the vision of a “Start-Up Nation.” Assess the effectiveness of EU regulations around online platforms, digital markets, and AI innovation in advancing an ethical digital economy.
Economic Inclusion and Development
Navigate immigration and integration debates in France and examine how they intersect with memory laws, secularism, and questions of identity. Trace the evolution of labor rights, redistributive politics, and grassroots movements to understand their impact on labor markets. Explore how uneven development in France’s overseas territories influences economic outcomes.
Resource Management and Interdependencies
Analyze France’s ecological transition through the lens of major environmental challenges and regulatory responses, including the EU Green Deal. Study the social and economic impact of resource extraction and environmental crises in territories such as French Guiana, Mayotte, and the Antilles.
GERMAN
In addition to language, what do I study in the German Track?
Topics of study are highlighted below in relation to the Lauder Institute’s four geopolitical themes. This is not a complete list, nor is this how the courses are structured. These topics will be covered during the 2-year degree, and in the target language of German. Syllabi are subject to change.
Strategic Decision-Making in a Multipolar World
Examine how Germany exercises global influence by leveraging its role within the European Union while balancing ties with the U.S., China, and Russia. Assess how Germany’s history, industrial strengths, trade networks, and climate-focused multilateralism shape its foreign policy and economic development.
Data-Driven Societies and Economies
Explore how Germany’s digital transformation creates opportunities and challenges for business, particularly in sectors like banking and healthcare. Examine how strong data-protection rules can slow digital adoption and broad-based digitization.
Economic Inclusion and Development
Learn how redistributive policies promote social stability and help reduce economic disparities. Examine how immigration policies designed to support workforce needs can also raise public costs and complicate labor-market integration.
Resource Management and Interdependencies
Understand how Germany balances economic growth with environmental standards. Evaluate how its central role in global supply chains—exporting high-tech goods while relying on international inputs—creates interdependencies that influence risk and competitiveness.
ITALIAN
In addition to language, what do I study in the Italian Track?
Topics of study are highlighted below in relation to the Lauder Institute’s four geopolitical themes. This is not a complete list, nor is this how the courses are structured. These topics will be covered during the 2-year degree, and in the target language of Italian. Syllabi are subject to change.
Strategic Decision-Making in a Multipolar World
Explore how Italy manages energy and trade ties in North Africa while navigating the interests of the EU, Russia, and other regional actors. Examine how local governments exercise strategic leadership amid a surge in international tourism through urban planning and tourism regulations. Assess how firms adapt through delocalization to stay resilient in a global market.
Data-Driven Societies and Economies
Examine the EU’s push for digital literacy as a driver of workforce readiness. Learn how Italy uses data on recycling and pollution to influence environmental behavior. Analyze the role of digital spaces in shaping public narratives around identity and social issues.
Economic Inclusion and Development
Track how migration from North Africa and Albania affects labor market participation, and resource distribution. Analyze the prevalence of alternative economic models in Italy, such as WWOOF, that emphasize sustainable production and community well-being. Study development perspectives in the Mediterranean to assess strategies for inclusive economic growth.
Resource Management and Interdependencies
Study Italy’s oil, gas, and pipeline corridors with North Africa to understand how interdependence drives supply chain strategy. Examine how Italy’s waste-management and plastic-reduction efforts intersect with EU climate targets and Mediterranean marine-protection initiatives. Evaluate how Italy leverages deglobalization and Mediterranean port infrastructure to influence trade regulation.
RUSSIAN
In addition to language, what do I study in the Russian Track?
Topics of study are highlighted below in relation to the Lauder Institute’s four geopolitical themes. This is not a complete list, nor is this how the courses are structured. These topics will be covered during the 2-year degree, and in the target language of Russian. Syllabi are subject to change.
Strategic Decision-Making in a Multipolar World
Assess how Russia seeks to preserve and expand its sphere of influence in the Baltic region amid competition with the U.S., the EU, and others. Consider how post-1990s developments in business and state authority within Russia inform both its regional positioning and how it projects its power in relation to other major global actors.
Data-Driven Societies and Economies
Analyze the role of big data, digital systems, and smart-city initiatives in Russia, highlighting both technological opportunities and governance challenges. Evaluate the development of e-government platforms through the lens of innovation, regulation, and public–private cooperation.
Economic Inclusion and Development
Examine the operating conditions for small and medium enterprises in Russia and Kazakhstan, including how China’s expanding economic footprint in Kazakhstan is reshaping local opportunities. Investigate business-relocation patterns from Russia and Belarus, and the impact of import-substitution policies on Russian companies.
Resource Management and Interdependencies
Explore how resource dependence shapes Russia’s development trajectory and its efforts to diversify its commodity-based economy. Examine the strategic relevance of projects like Nord Stream and assess how sanctions reshape business operations and long-term planning.
Jimmy Zhang
French Track
“Coming in with limited formal French training, the small-group format gave me the structure and confidence to progress quickly. The immersion deepened my understanding of the country on linguistic, cultural, and historical levels. I couldn’t have asked for a more dynamic environment blending small-group instruction with thoughtful discussions on contemporary French society.”
Caterina Bonmasser
German Track
“The German Program at Lauder has been transformative, starting with immersion in Berlin where we engaged with the automotive, technology, and media sectors. In the classroom, our discussions around history, sustainability, business, and politics have strengthened my German language skills and deepened my understanding of European culture & markets.”
Victoria Bernstein
Italian Track
“Lauder allowed me to explore Italy through corporate, diplomatic, and cultural visits and I’ve developed a deeper understanding of Italy’s role within Europe and the world. The intimacy of our small cohort has enabled rich discussions, personal growth, and lasting connections. Without Lauder, I’m certain I wouldn’t have achieved such a multifaceted perspective.”
Brian Gerevits
Russian Track
“The Lauder Russian program has had a profound personal impact on me. Through intensive language study and cultural immersion, I was able to strengthen my Russian skills, deepen my understanding of my family’s roots, and build a stronger connection to the traditions and stories that shaped my upbringing.”
Language Requirements
For admission, applicants must test at the Advanced-Low level or above on the OPI in their Target Language. For the Italian Track only, educated native speakers in another romance language with no prior knowledge of Italian may also be considered for admission.
Degree Requirements
Lauder Institute students need 14 credit units (CUs) to graduate with a Masters in International Studies. Program of Concentration courses account for 5 CUs. Learn more about our curriculum structure and the specific requirements for degree completion.
Are You Ready?
Are you ready to take your career to the next level with the Lauder Institute joint-degree? Get in touch with our admissions team or click below to sign up for an admissions info session.
